Policy Currents | The newsletter for policy people
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** Nov. 16, 2023
Why the Oct. 7 Attack Wasn't Israel's 9/11

Many have referred to the October 7th attack by Hamas as "Israel's 9/11." This analogy is useful in that it conveys--particularly to Americans--the level of national shock and anger in Israeli society.

But beyond that, the comparison is misleading, says RAND's Raphael Cohen. Perhaps the most notable difference between 9/11 (and the subsequent U.S. operation in Afghanistan) and 10/7 and Israel's ongoing war in Gaza, is that the United States could choose to eventually withdraw--although it did take Washington two decades to reach that conclusion. For the simple reason of geography, Israel lacks such an option, Cohen says.

Unlike Afghanistan for the United States, Gaza is not half a world away from Israel. Such proximity means that if it so chooses, Israel can "invest the time and resources to rebuild Gaza economically, politically, and societally, if only to prevent another 10/7style attack from occurring in the future," Cohen says.

In other words, Gaza will not be Israel's Afghanistan, simply because stepping away is a luxury Israel cannot afford. For better or worse, Israel and Gaza are fundamentally intertwined.

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Have You Heard About 988?

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline was created over a year ago with the hope that more people would reach out for help. But today, the fledgling hotline faces challenges. Awareness of 988 is low--911 remains the default, even as many people are afraid to call 911 in mental health crises--and many jurisdictions are struggling to integrate 988 in a coordinated way. This is why a broader campaign to promote 988 is needed, says RAND's Stephanie Brooks Holliday. "People simply can't call what they don't know to call. And yet, the need is there, and the need is often desperate."

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How to Strengthen South Korea's Nuclear Assurance

North Korea has been vastly increasing its nuclear weapon capabilities and threatening South Korea and the United States with nuclear attacks. A new RAND report looks at ways to strengthen South Korea's nuclear assurance. Among the key findings, Washington could consider establishing some degree of parity on the Korean Peninsula with the nuclear threat from Pyongyang. Doing so might avoid a future decision by South Korea to produce its own nuclear weapon force.

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** RAND Recommends
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- Survey data shows that some veterans are uncomfortable with being thanked for their service. In Task & Purpose, RAND's Kyleanne Hunter, a former Marine, offers an alternative: Ask veterans how they would like to be recognized or supported.
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** Events
Policy Lab: Supporting Veterans After the Yellow Ribbons Fade
Wednesday, November 29, 2023 (Online)
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Pardee RAND Admissions Webinar: On-the-Job Training and Working at RAND
Thursday, November 30, 2023 (Online)
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